Courtney Lockhart, convicted of the March 4, 2008 capital murder of 18-year-old Auburn student Lauren Burk, was sentenced to death Wednesday.
Lee County Circuit Court Judge Jacob Walker III overturned a jury's recommendation to make the final decision.
"It is my decision to override the jury's recommendation in this case and sentence Mr. Lockhart to death by lethal injection," Walker said.
Jim Burk, Lauren's father, read a victim impact statement to the court.
"God ultimately judges us all," Burk said. "No one escapes his judgment. No one should have to endure what we have been through and what we have lost."
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